The open letter from 15 environmental and planning experts said water management techniques could have stopped some of the flooding

They said water management techniques could have stopped some of the flooding on “villages, towns and over surrounding land seen recently”.

The message, in an open letter from 15 environmental and planning experts, came as Chancellor George Osborne was challenged to commit to long-term flood prevention.

“While we are pleased to hear that the Prime Minister will provide leadership and funding, it is essential that Government actions are based on best practice developed over many years,” the letter states.

“Water management techniques could have helped prevent the effect of flooding on villages, towns and over surrounding land seen recently.

“Measures are in order for the immediate crisis, but the long-term management of water requires a clear strategy.”

Two severe flood warnings remain in place in Somerset, and homes in Windsor, Maidenhead, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Wokingham and West Berkshire could remain flooded for some time.

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said that a review carried out for Labour by Olympic supremo and retired senior engineer Sir John Armitt had identified the construction of flood defences which can cope with the potential effects of climate change as “a national priority”.

Mr Balls said: “Of course, if Labour wins the next election, there will need to be spending cuts. There will be a big deficit to be brought down after the global financial crisis and the Chancellor is set to break his promise to balance the books by 2015.

“But how we make those cuts is vital. We must eliminate waste and inefficiencies, but also prioritise preventative spending that can save money in the long term.

“There can be few better examples than investment in flood defences.”

Britain’s fishery lakes are under 24-hour supervision in an attempt to prevent carp escaping into rivers. Several flooded lakes have connected to the River Thames and fisheries risk losing valuable carp worth in excess of £5,000 each.